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GAC Computing

Tips

GAC Computing is a three-step ladder. GAC005 is about using computers for academic work, which means search literacy, collaborative writing, project management, presentations and video. GAC011 builds and publishes a real website with HTML, CSS and JavaScript. GAC017 goes behind it, into back-end programming, databases, SQL and a first look at data science.

Nothing here is answered on paper. Each module is judged on artefacts you produce, a set of slides, a website, a database with several tables, an analysis of a real dataset, so the work is done at a computer and submitted as files.

The three modules are cumulative in a literal sense. The site you design in GAC011 is the thing GAC017 gives a back end and a database, so a weak storyboard early costs time much later.

Presentation counts as much as code. Both design outcomes and communication outcomes are named in the modules, and marks are lost for a working page that nobody can navigate.

You can run the HTML, CSS, JavaScript and SQL exercises directly in this site's code playground, then take the same techniques into your own assessed project.

GAC Computing Study Materials

  • 1

    GAC005 Computing I: Introduction to Computing for Academic Study
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    • 1.1 Search Literacy

      Unit 1 of 6 in GAC005 Computing I: Introduction to Computing for Academic Study (Level I). The module is taught over about 40 class hours plus 20 hours of independent study, and is assessed at the teaching centre and moderated by ACT — there is no external exam.

      Module purpose: On completion of this module, students should be able to confidently and ethically use information technologies for individual and collaborative formal writing; and use the Internet effectively for academic study. More specifically, students will be able to access, navigate and download information from the Internet in order to enhance academic research, writing and presentation skills.

      The module outcomes this unit works towards:

      Learning Objective GAC005.1: Understand, evaluate and discriminate between available and emerging technologies to use, store and protect information.

      Learning Objective GAC005.2: Use the Internet to research, interpret and interactively and ethically manage academic projects.

      Source: Cambridge International syllabus

    • 1.2 Collaborative Writing

      Unit 2 of 6 in GAC005 Computing I: Introduction to Computing for Academic Study (Level I). The module is taught over about 40 class hours plus 20 hours of independent study, and is assessed at the teaching centre and moderated by ACT — there is no external exam.

      The module outcomes this unit works towards:

      Learning Objective GAC005.3: Create, revise and publish academic documents using a word processing program.

      Learning Objective GAC005.5: Use open source platforms to collaboratively create and share academic documents.

      Source: Cambridge International syllabus

    • 1.3 Project Management

      Unit 3 of 6 in GAC005 Computing I: Introduction to Computing for Academic Study (Level I). The module is taught over about 40 class hours plus 20 hours of independent study, and is assessed at the teaching centre and moderated by ACT — there is no external exam.

      The module outcomes this unit works towards:

      Learning Objective GAC005.2: Use the Internet to research, interpret and interactively and ethically manage academic projects.

      Learning Objective GAC005.5: Use open source platforms to collaboratively create and share academic documents.

      Source: Cambridge International syllabus

    • 1.4 Creating Effective Presentations

      Unit 4 of 6 in GAC005 Computing I: Introduction to Computing for Academic Study (Level I). The module is taught over about 40 class hours plus 20 hours of independent study, and is assessed at the teaching centre and moderated by ACT — there is no external exam.

      The module outcomes this unit works towards:

      Learning Objective GAC005.4: Create an academic oral presentation using a presentation software program.

      Source: Cambridge International syllabus

    • 1.5 Enhancing your Presentation

      Unit 5 of 6 in GAC005 Computing I: Introduction to Computing for Academic Study (Level I). The module is taught over about 40 class hours plus 20 hours of independent study, and is assessed at the teaching centre and moderated by ACT — there is no external exam.

      The module outcomes this unit works towards:

      Learning Objective GAC005.4: Create an academic oral presentation using a presentation software program.

      Source: Cambridge International syllabus

    • 1.6 The Making of a Video

      Unit 6 of 6 in GAC005 Computing I: Introduction to Computing for Academic Study (Level I). The module is taught over about 40 class hours plus 20 hours of independent study, and is assessed at the teaching centre and moderated by ACT — there is no external exam.

      The module outcomes this unit works towards:

      Learning Objective GAC005.1: Understand, evaluate and discriminate between available and emerging technologies to use, store and protect information.

      Learning Objective GAC005.4: Create an academic oral presentation using a presentation software program.

      Source: Cambridge International syllabus

  • 2

    GAC011 Computing II: Web Development
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    • 2.1 Designing a Website

      Unit 1 of 6 in GAC011 Computing II: Web Development (Level II). The module is taught over about 40 class hours plus 20 hours of independent study, and is assessed at the teaching centre and moderated by ACT — there is no external exam.

      Module purpose: On completion of this module, students should be able to design and create a basic website by applying knowledge of website development languages. They will also start coding to create basic dynamic content in a website. Furthermore, they will create a strategy to promote their website with social media.

      The module outcomes this unit works towards:

      Learning Objective GAC011.1: Design effective websites using aesthetics and formal concepts of layout and organization to communicate effectively using visual components.

      Learning Objective GAC011.3: Incorporate best practices in navigation, usability, and written content to design websites that give users easy access to the information they seek.

      Source: Cambridge International syllabus

    • 2.2 Creating a Website Using Html

      Unit 2 of 6 in GAC011 Computing II: Web Development (Level II). The module is taught over about 40 class hours plus 20 hours of independent study, and is assessed at the teaching centre and moderated by ACT — there is no external exam.

      The module outcomes this unit works towards:

      Learning Objective GAC011.2: Create and publish a website using scripting languages to add interactive components.

      Source: Cambridge International syllabus

    • 2.3 Using CSS to Enhance your Website

      Unit 3 of 6 in GAC011 Computing II: Web Development (Level II). The module is taught over about 40 class hours plus 20 hours of independent study, and is assessed at the teaching centre and moderated by ACT — there is no external exam.

      The module outcomes this unit works towards:

      Learning Objective GAC011.1: Design effective websites using aesthetics and formal concepts of layout and organization to communicate effectively using visual components.

      Learning Objective GAC011.2: Create and publish a website using scripting languages to add interactive components.

      Source: Cambridge International syllabus

    • 2.4 Adding Interactivity with JavaScript

      Unit 4 of 6 in GAC011 Computing II: Web Development (Level II). The module is taught over about 40 class hours plus 20 hours of independent study, and is assessed at the teaching centre and moderated by ACT — there is no external exam.

      The module outcomes this unit works towards:

      Learning Objective GAC011.2: Create and publish a website using scripting languages to add interactive components.

      Source: Cambridge International syllabus

    • 2.5 Launching your Website

      Unit 5 of 6 in GAC011 Computing II: Web Development (Level II). The module is taught over about 40 class hours plus 20 hours of independent study, and is assessed at the teaching centre and moderated by ACT — there is no external exam.

      The module outcomes this unit works towards:

      Learning Objective GAC011.3: Incorporate best practices in navigation, usability, and written content to design websites that give users easy access to the information they seek.

      Learning Objective GAC011.4: Use the website to complement academic work conducted in other media.

      Source: Cambridge International syllabus

    • 2.6 Social Media Marketing

      Unit 6 of 6 in GAC011 Computing II: Web Development (Level II). The module is taught over about 40 class hours plus 20 hours of independent study, and is assessed at the teaching centre and moderated by ACT — there is no external exam.

      The module outcomes this unit works towards:

      Learning Objective GAC011.5: Use social media to promote or find a website.

      Source: Cambridge International syllabus

  • 3

    GAC017 Computing III: Data Science and Web Apps
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    • 3.1 JavaScript for Web App’s back-end

      Unit 1 of 6 in GAC017 Computing III: Data Science and Web Apps (Level III). The module is taught over about 40 class hours plus 20 hours of independent study, and is assessed at the teaching centre and moderated by ACT — there is no external exam.

      Module purpose: On completion of this module, students should be able to create a web app. Students will learn about back- end programming and how to create a dynamic website. They will be able to use SQL to analyze data from multiple tables in order to make informed decisions.

      The module outcomes this unit works towards:

      Learning Objective GAC017.1: Understand the basic components of a Web Application.

      Source: Cambridge International syllabus

    • 3.2 Back-end Programming

      Unit 2 of 6 in GAC017 Computing III: Data Science and Web Apps (Level III). The module is taught over about 40 class hours plus 20 hours of independent study, and is assessed at the teaching centre and moderated by ACT — there is no external exam.

      The module outcomes this unit works towards:

      Learning Objective GAC017.2: Adapt a back-end application using scripting languages to interact with databases.

      Source: Cambridge International syllabus

    • 3.3 Introduction to Databases

      Unit 3 of 6 in GAC017 Computing III: Data Science and Web Apps (Level III). The module is taught over about 40 class hours plus 20 hours of independent study, and is assessed at the teaching centre and moderated by ACT — there is no external exam.

      The module outcomes this unit works towards:

      Learning Objective GAC017.3: Create a database with multiple tables.

      Source: Cambridge International syllabus

    • 3.4 SQL for Back-end Programming

      Unit 4 of 6 in GAC017 Computing III: Data Science and Web Apps (Level III). The module is taught over about 40 class hours plus 20 hours of independent study, and is assessed at the teaching centre and moderated by ACT — there is no external exam.

      The module outcomes this unit works towards:

      Learning Objective GAC017.4: Analyze data using SQL in order to make decisions.

      Source: Cambridge International syllabus

    • 3.5 Connecting JavaScript with SQL

      Unit 5 of 6 in GAC017 Computing III: Data Science and Web Apps (Level III). The module is taught over about 40 class hours plus 20 hours of independent study, and is assessed at the teaching centre and moderated by ACT — there is no external exam.

      The module outcomes this unit works towards:

      Learning Objective GAC017.2: Adapt a back-end application using scripting languages to interact with databases.

      Learning Objective GAC017.4: Analyze data using SQL in order to make decisions.

      Source: Cambridge International syllabus

    • 3.6 Data Science

      Unit 6 of 6 in GAC017 Computing III: Data Science and Web Apps (Level III). The module is taught over about 40 class hours plus 20 hours of independent study, and is assessed at the teaching centre and moderated by ACT — there is no external exam.

      The module outcomes this unit works towards:

      Learning Objective GAC017.5: Applying Data Science to other academic areas.

      Source: Cambridge International syllabus

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